What do Taylor Swift, a tank of captured carbon dioxide and used cooking oil have in common? They’re all part of the conversation about making flying less of a climate problem.

In this episode of Positive Charge, hosts Lisa Stiffler and Laura Scott pull on flame-resistant jumpsuits, strap steel-toed caps over their sneakers and head inside Twelve’s new sustainable aviation fuel-making facility in Moses Lake, Wash. There, a maze of shiny pipes and tanks turns captured carbon dioxide, water and renewable electricity into something surprisingly ordinary-looking: clear liquid that can help power an airplane.

Then we meet Montana Renewables, which has given part of a century-old oil refinery a new job: making aviation fuel from ingredients including used cooking oil, beef tallow and oily seeds. And Alaska Airlines’ sustainability leader explains why airlines are betting on fuels that work with the planes and airport equipment they already have.

Along the way, we unpack the big questions: How does burning fuel made from recycled carbon help the climate? Why does cleaner jet fuel cost more? And what actually happens when you chip in for sustainable aviation fuel while booking a flight?

Come for the industrial jungle gym. Stay for the science, trade-offs and possibilities of cleaner flying.

Sources and references

Interviews:
Nicholas Flanders, CEO and co-founder of Twelve
Ryan Spies, managing director of sustainability at Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines
Matt Upmeyer, vice president of commercial for Montana Renewables
Cody McNaughton, plant manager for Twelve's manufacturing facility
Michael Donaldson, director of environment, health and safety at Twelve's manufacturing facility

Sources:
"Sustainable aviation fuel is taking off. What is it, exactly?", Canary Media, Nov. 21, 2024
"Pragmatic assessment of meeting the 2030 U.S. sustainable aviation fuel goal," Biomass and Bioenergy, March 2026
"Europe Widens Its Lead Over US, Asia in Switch to Cleaner Jet Fuel," Bloomberg, Aug. 13, 2026

What do Taylor Swift, a tank of captured carbon dioxide and used cooking oil have in common? They&rsquo;re all part of the conversation about making flying less of a climate problem.
In this episode of Positive Charge, hosts Lisa Stiffler and Laura Scott pull on flame-resistant jumpsuits, strap steel-toed caps over their sneakers and head inside Twelve&rsquo;s new sustainable aviation fuel-making facility in Moses Lake, Wash. There, a maze of shiny pipes and tanks turns captured carbon dioxide, water and renewable electricity into something surprisingly ordinary-looking: clear liquid that can help power an airplane.
Then we meet Montana Renewables, which has given part of a century-old oil refinery a new job: making aviation fuel from ingredients including used cooking oil, beef tallow and oily seeds. And Alaska Airlines&rsquo; sustainability leader explains why airlines are betting on fuels that work with the planes and airport equipment they already have.
Along the way, we unpack the big questions: How does burning fuel made from recycled carbon help the climate? Why does cleaner jet fuel cost more? And what actually happens when you chip in for sustainable aviation fuel while booking a flight?
Come for the industrial jungle gym. Stay for the science, trade-offs and possibilities of cleaner flying.
Sources and references
Interviews:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicholas-flanders-co2/?isSelfProfile=false">Nicholas Flanders</a>, CEO and co-founder of<a href="https://www.twelve.co/"> Twelve</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanspies/">Ryan Spies</a>, managing director of sustainability at<a href="https://news.alaskaair.com/company/alaska-airlines-hawaiian-airlines-transition-to-shared-passenger-service-system-to-deliver-a-more-seamless-guest-experience/"> Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-upmeyer-b9345810/">Matt Upmeyer</a>, vice president of commercial for<a href="https://montana-renewables.com/"> Montana Renewables</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/cody-mcnaughton-9bba4313a">Cody McNaughton</a>, plant manager for Twelve's manufacturing facility</li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-donaldson-ma-cshm-72345618/">Michael Donaldson</a>, director of environment, health and safety at Twelve's manufacturing facility</li>
</ul>
Sources:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">"<a href="https://www.canarymedia.com/articles/air-travel/sustainable-aviation-fuel-is-taking-off-but-what-is-it">Sustainable aviation fuel is taking off. What is it, exactly?</a>", Canary Media, Nov. 21, 2024</li>
<li aria-level="1">"<a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0961953425009274?via%3Dihub#sec5">Pragmatic assessment of meeting the 2030 U.S. sustainable aviation fuel goal</a>," Biomass and Bioenergy, March 2026</li>
<li aria-level="1">"<a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-08-13/europe-widens-lead-in-cleaner-jet-fuel-as-us-asia-fall-behind">Europe Widens Its Lead Over US, Asia in Switch to Cleaner Jet Fuel</a>," Bloomberg, Aug. 13, 2026</li>
</ul>

Positive Charge by GeekWire explores the technology breakthroughs working to solve the planet's biggest environmental and sustainability challenges. Hosted by GeekWire's Lisa Stiffler and audio producer Laura Scott, each episode goes inside the labs, companies, and wild places of the Pacific Northwest — and beyond — to meet the creators, champions, and consumers bringing bold climate innovations to life.

This is a podcast about hope. The planet faces real challenges, but there are smart, passionate people working hard to address them — whether they're chasing clean energy, treating persistent "forever chemicals," or rethinking sustainability from the ground up. We profile those people and the breakthroughs giving us reason for optimism.

Brought to you by Amazon Sustainability.

Positive Charge by GeekWire explores the technology breakthroughs working to solve the planet's biggest environmental and sustainability challenges. Hosted by GeekWire's Lisa Stiffler and audio producer Laura Scott, each episode goes inside the labs, companies, and wild places of the Pacific Northwest &mdash; and beyond &mdash; to meet the creators, champions, and consumers bringing bold climate innovations to life.
This is a podcast about hope. The planet faces real challenges, but there are smart, passionate people working hard to address them &mdash; whether they're chasing clean energy, treating persistent "forever chemicals," or rethinking sustainability from the ground up. We profile those people and the breakthroughs giving us reason for optimism.
Brought to you by Amazon Sustainability.

Positive Charge by GeekWire

Positive Charge by GeekWire explores the technology breakthroughs working to solve the planet's biggest environmental and sustainability challenges. Hosted by GeekWire's Lisa Stiffler and journalist/producer Laura Scott, each episode goes inside the labs, companies, and wild places of the Pacific Northwest and beyond to meet the creators, champions, and consumers bringing bold climate innovations to life.

This is a podcast about hope. The planet faces real challenges, but there are smart, passionate people working hard to address them — whether they're chasing clean energy, treating persistent "forever chemicals," or rethinking sustainability from the ground up. We profile those people and the breakthroughs giving us reason for optimism.

Brought to you by Amazon Sustainability.

Positive Charge by GeekWire explores the technology breakthroughs working to solve the planet's biggest environmental and sustainability challenges. Hosted by GeekWire's Lisa Stiffler and journalist/producer Laura Scott, each episode goes inside the labs, companies, and wild places of the Pacific Northwest and beyond to meet the creators, champions, and consumers bringing bold climate innovations to life.
This is a podcast about hope. The planet faces real challenges, but there are smart, passionate people working hard to address them &mdash; whether they're chasing clean energy, treating persistent "forever chemicals," or rethinking sustainability from the ground up. We profile those people and the breakthroughs giving us reason for optimism.
Brought to you by Amazon Sustainability.